Educational Resources

How Do I Know What Dog is Right For Me?

Adopting an animal is a rewarding experience, but there are several important considerations to keep in mind:

Ensure you have enough time for daily care, exercise, training, and socialization. Pets require a long-term commitment of love and attention. Owner circumstances, including time commitment is one of the leading causes for surrendered pets.

Time Commitment

Consider your lifestyle and whether the animal's needs align with it. Different breeds and species have varying activity levels and care requirements. More of this later.

Life Style Compatibility

Pet ownership comes with costs such as food, grooming, veterinary care, and supplies. Make sure you're prepared for both routine and unexpected expenses. Different breeds have different needs and financial responsibilities.

Financial Responsibility

Assess if your living space is suitable for the type of animal you want to adopt. Some pets need more room to roam and play than others. Verify with your landlord if pets are allowed and consider the potential noise level of bringing in an animal that will bark. When it comes to housing, landlord issues is the leading cause of relinquished dogs.

Space

Check for any household allergies to pets to avoid health issues for family members. Some dogs are hypoallergenic and are more fit for families with allergies.

Allergies

Pets can live for many years, so be sure you're ready for a long-term relationship. Think about future plans and how a pet will fit into them. This includes a change in residence - apartment to house or vice versa - having children, or any future animals you may desire.

Time Commitment

Learn about the specific needs, temperament, and behavior of the animal you are considering. This helps ensure you're well-prepared to provide proper care.

Research - Animal’s Needs

Adopt Don’t Shop

Consider adopting from shelters and rescues, which helps save lives and supports the community.

If you have other pets, consider how the new animal will fit in. Proper introductions and ensuring compatibility are crucial for a harmonious household. Keep in mind, some animals are not good with other pets.

Compatibility w/ Other Pets

Have a plan in place for emergencies, including a trusted pet sitter or boarding facility for when you're away.

Emergency Plan

Taking these factors into account will help ensure a successful and fulfilling adoption experience for both you and your new furry friend. 🐾

Lifestyle Compatibility - Animal Needs

Before searching for a dog or cat to adopt, it's crucial to analyze your lifestyle to ensure a harmonious and fulfilling relationship.

Consider whether you are an outdoors person who enjoys hiking and running, or if you prefer relaxing at home. Evaluate your living situation—whether you reside in an apartment or a house with a yard—as different pets have varying space and exercise needs. Reflect on your daily routine and commitments: are you a homebody with ample time to spend with your pet, or do you have a busy schedule that requires an independent and low-maintenance companion? If you have children or other pets, ensure the new addition will be compatible with them. Matching your lifestyle with your pet's personality and needs is essential for their well-being and for a stress-free and rewarding pet ownership experience. A well-suited match fosters a happy, healthy environment for both you and your furry friend, reducing the likelihood of behavioral issues and ensuring a lifelong bond.

For Active Lifestyles

If you're someone who loves outdoor activities and staying active, these breeds will be great companions:

  • Border Collie: Highly energetic and intelligent, perfect for running, hiking, and agility training.

  • Australian Shepherd: Energetic and loves to stay busy, great for outdoor adventures.

  • Vizsla: Athletic and loves to run and play, making them excellent running partners.

  • German Shorthaired Pointer: High energy and loves activities like hiking and swimming.

For Apartment Living

Living in a smaller space doesn't mean you can't have a dog! These breeds are more suited for apartment living:

  • Bichon Frise: Small, friendly, and doesn't require a lot of space.

  • French Bulldog: Compact, low energy, and doesn't need extensive exercise.

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Gentle and well-suited for indoor living.

  • Boston Terrier: Small, friendly, and doesn't need a lot of space.

For Families with Children

If you have kids, you'll want a dog that's gentle, patient, and good with children:

  • Golden Retriever: Friendly, loyal, and great with kids.

  • Labrador Retriever: Playful, patient, and loves to be part of the family.

  • Beagle: Friendly and great with children, but can be a bit stubborn.

  • Boxer: Energetic and playful, great for active families.

Choosing the right breed is essential because it ensures that the dog's characteristics align with your lifestyle, living situation, and personal preferences. Owner circumstance and behavior are leading causes of pets being relinquished. This included time commitment and activity level, which varies by breed. The more active breeds will become destructive if they don’t get enough physical and mental stimulation.

Why Train?

Training plays a crucial role in keeping dogs out of shelters by addressing and preventing common behavioral issues that often lead to relinquishment. Here are a few ways training can help:

  1. Improved Behavior: Training helps curb undesirable behaviors like excessive barking, chewing, or jumping. A well-trained dog is more manageable and can be a better companion.

  2. Strengthened Bond: Training sessions provide valuable one-on-one time, enhancing the bond between you and your dog. It fosters trust, communication, and mutual respect.

  3. Enhanced Safety: Teaching your dog commands like "sit," "stay," and "come" can prevent dangerous situations, ensuring their safety both at home and outdoors.

  4. Mental Stimulation: Training engages your dog's mind, keeping them mentally active and preventing boredom. This is especially important for intelligent breeds that need constant mental challenges.

  5. Socialization: Training often involves exposure to new environments, people, and other dogs. This helps your dog become well-adjusted, confident, and less anxious in various situations.

Approximately 32.8% of dogs are returned to shelters due to behavior issues, making it one of the most common reasons for returns. This highlights the importance of proper training and support for pet owners to help keep dogs in their forever homes.

Basic Commands

Sit: This command helps in controlling your dog in various situations, making them calmer and easier to manage.

Down: Similar to "sit," this command is more stable and helps calm your dog and makes it easier to manage them in different stimulating settings.

Come/Here: This recall command is essential for getting your dog to return to you, especially in off-leash situations or emergencies.

Impulse Control

Wait: The "wait" command is an important obedience command that helps your dog learn self-control and patience.

Stay: Teaching "stay" ensures your dog remains in place until you return to them, which is crucial for their safety.

Leave It: This command teaches your dog to ignore or avoid objects they shouldn't interact with, keeping them safe from potential hazards.

Drop It: This command teaches your dog to drop what is in their mouth, keeping them safe if they pick up dangerous or hazardous objects.

Socialization

Socialization is crucial for dogs' overall well-being and development. Here's why it's important:

Collaborate with a professional trainer to learn positive reinforcement techniques and accurately interpret your dog's body language during socialization.

Behavioral Balance

Socializing your dog helps them become well-rounded and balanced. Dogs exposed to different people, animals, environments, and experiences are less likely to develop behavioral issues like fear, aggression, and anxiety.

Improved Confidence

A well-socialized dog is more confident and comfortable in various situations. This makes them less reactive and more adaptable to new experiences, reducing stress for both the dog and the owner.

Better Interactions

Socialization teaches dogs how to interact appropriately with other dogs and people. This reduces the likelihood of conflicts and makes walks, trips to the park, and visits to public places more enjoyable and manageable.

Mental Stimulation

Exposure to new experiences, sights, sounds, and smells provides mental stimulation, keeping your dog engaged and preventing boredom. This mental enrichment is essential for their overall happiness.

Health Benefits

Socialized dogs are often more active and engaged, which contributes to their physical health. Regular interaction with other dogs and people encourages physical activity and helps maintain a healthy weight.

Ease of Handling

Socialized dogs are generally easier to handle and less stressed during grooming, vet visits, and other necessary interactions. This makes routine care more manageable and less traumatic for the dog.

Puppy Training

Puppies bring boundless joy, energy, and affection into any home, making them a delightful addition for individuals and families alike.

Their playful nature and eagerness to learn foster strong bonds with their human companions, creating lasting memories filled with love and laughter. Puppies also offer the opportunity to shape their behavior and instill good habits from a young age, ensuring they grow into well-behaved adult dogs. Their unconditional love and loyal companionship can enhance anyone's life, providing emotional support and endless entertainment. Whether you're an active adventurer or a homebody, a puppy's presence can enrich your daily routine and fill your heart with happiness.

Training a puppy can be a delightful but challenging experience. Here are some key things to remember. Keep in mind, the effort you put into training your puppy now will pay off in the long run, creating a well-behaved and happy companion.

Consistency is Key

Use the same commands and rewards every time to avoid confusing your puppy.

Patience and Persistence

Puppies are learning and will make mistakes. Stay patient and persistent, and don't give up on training.

Short Sessions

Keep training sessions short and fun to hold your puppy's attention. Puppies have short attention spans, so 2 or 3, 5 to 10-minute sessions a day are ideal.

Crate Training

Crate training helps with housebreaking and provides a safe space for your puppy. Make the crate a positive place by using treats and toys.

Routine

Establish a consistent daily routine for feeding, potty breaks, and playtime. This helps your puppy understand what to expect and reduces anxiety.

Be Gentle

Use a gentle tone and avoid harsh punishment. Training should be a positive and fun experience for both you and your puppy.

Accidents Happen

Even with daily training, puppies will have accidents. Use an enzymatic cleaner and the proper potty-training techniques you learned from your trainer. NEVER yell at your puppy.

Play Biting

Although it’s adorable when a puppy play-bites, allowing them to do so reinforces the behavior. The result is an adult dog that bites and could accidently cause harm.

Why Adopt an Adult Dog

~~

Why Adopt an Adult Dog ~~

Adopting an adult dog can be a wonderful and rewarding experience.

While puppies are undeniably adorable and bring joy to many, they may not be the best fit for everyone. Raising a puppy requires a significant time commitment, patience, and energy. They need constant supervision, house training, and socialization to develop into well-behaved adult dogs. Puppies can also be demanding, with their boundless energy often leading to chewing, biting, and other behaviors that require consistent training to manage. Additionally, the financial responsibility of veterinary care, vaccinations, and other essentials can be a strain for some households. For individuals with busy schedules, limited space, or those who prefer a more relaxed lifestyle, adopting an older dog or a pet with a calmer demeanor might be a better match.

First-time dog owners may find that adopting an adult dog is a more manageable and rewarding experience. Adult dogs are often already house-trained and have basic obedience skills, reducing the immediate demands on new owners. They tend to have established temperaments, making it easier to find a dog whose personality and energy levels align with your lifestyle. Additionally, adult dogs are typically past the teething and high-energy puppy stages, which can be overwhelming for novice pet parents. Adopting an adult dog also provides the opportunity to give a loving home to an animal that might be overlooked in favor of puppies, fulfilling the dual purpose of companionship and compassion.

Calmer

Housetrained

Basic Obedience

In Shelters Longer

Temperament

The training resources listed here are only a few of many that can be incredibly helpful for you, as a pet parent, to ensure your dog’s wellbeing, health, behavior, and happiness. Books and YouTube videos are great supplemental material for learning. Books provide in-depth knowledge, while YouTube videos offer visual demonstrations and tips. However, dog training revolves around precise timing and teaching you how to effectively communicate with your pets. To achieve proper timing and clear communication, enlisting the help of a professional trainer is essential. Misunderstandings and misinterpretations of pet body language can lead to poor habits, miscommunications, and the accidental reinforcement of undesirable behaviors. A professional trainer can provide the guidance needed to avoid these pitfalls, address specific issues, offer hands-on support, and ensure a positive training experience.

Training Resources

Nate Schoemer’s Dog Training Manual

An excellent resource for new and experienced pet owners. Nate Schoemer’s Dog Training Manual teaches you the science behind the methods and each dog's individual needs, desires, and perseverance levels, why timing is important, and how to communicate effectively with your pet. Check out his YouTube channel for more tips.

PetSmart Training Services

PetSmart training services are a great option for pet parents due to their affordability and the credibility of their trainers. With reasonably priced classes, PetSmart ensures that high-quality training is accessible to all pet owners. Their trainers are fully accredited and have completed rigorous certification programs, focusing on positive reinforcement techniques. This combination of affordability and expertise makes PetSmart a reliable choice for pet training.

Professional Organizations

Professional trainers often work with organizations such as the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). These organizations set high standards for training practices and offer certifications, continuing education, and resources to help trainers stay current with the latest techniques and methods.